FUEL JETTISON

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 PRIMARY POINTS

➢ Fuel Jettisoning is an important safety function for some airplanes

➢ The majority of airliners do not have the ability to jettison fuel
➢ In 2019 at SEA, only about 4% of the departures had fuel jettisoning
capability
➢ Jettisoning is always used to meet an emergency or non-normal
situation. A normal flight never plans on jettisoning fuel
➢ Most pilots will go through their entire career without ever using the
procedure – while it is not unheard of, it is a pretty rare occurrence

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JETTISON PANEL AND DIAGRAM

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 NO JETTISON CAPABILITY

Q 400 Airbus A320 Boeing 757

Boeing 737 EMB- 170/190 CRJ 700

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 “PARTIAL” CAPABILITY

Boeing 767
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AIRBUS A330-200 & -300

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 JETTISON CAPABLE

Boeing 747 Boeing 777

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MOST DEPARTURES FROM SEA DO NOT
HAVE THE ABILITY TO JETTISON FUEL

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 WHY IS THERE A JETTISON SYSTEM IN
THE FIRST PLACE?

• The regulations for certification stipulate that transport category airplanes

must meet certain climb performance or have a fuel jettisoning system
installed CFR 25.1001:
Some airplanes (MD-11 & 747) need a jettisoning system in order to meet these
requirements
Other airplanes (777 & some 767s) meet the requirements but have a jettisoning
system installed anyway
Still other airplanes (737, A320, 757) meet these requirements and do not have a
jettison system installed

As far as the pilot is concerned, what is important is the increase in the

margin of safety that the ability to jettison fuel affords

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 THE FUEL JETTISONING DECISION

• Landing overweight and fuel jettisoning are both considered safe procedures
(Boeing)
• However, landing overweight reduces the normal safety margins depending on
the degree of the overweight condition and the particular conditions that day
• In addition, delaying the landing, in order to burn fuel, with a malfunctioning
system or engine failure may expose the airplane to additional system
deterioration that may make the situation worse.

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 GUIDANCE PROVIDED TO THE PILOT

• Company guidance is provided to the pilot by the airlines Operations Manual

(Handbook) and Operation Specifications (OpsSpecs)
• FAR 121.557 Emergency authority
“In an emergency situation that requires immediate decision and action the pilot
in command may take any action that he considers necessary under the
circumstances. In such a case he may deviate from prescribed operations procedures
and methods, weather minimums, and this chapter to the extent required in the
interest of safety.”

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 RANGE OF NON-NORMAL AND EMERGENCY
SITUATIONS

• Some emergency situations can be very fast moving, ambiguous and time
compressed
• Or we could have a less dramatic slower paced situation where the decision is
made collaboratively with company dispatch and coordinated with ATC

• Most importantly, from the pilot’s perspective, the perceived time

available is likely one of, if not the most critical factor for how the
fuel jettisoning procedure will be handled

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 POSSIBLE SCENARIO

• SYSTEM FAILURE
• If a large airplane departing on a long flight must return to
the airport of departure it may be smart to jettison fuel to
maintain normal safety margins
• The pilots will consider many factors including the landing
distance required and weather conditions

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 Normal landing typical day 5000’ of runway required
(15 degrees C, Wet Runway)

Non-normal configuration at or near Maximum Takeoff weight

8000’ to 13,500’ of runway required depending on the severity
of the problem

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 POSSIBLE SCENARIO

• MEDICAL EMERGENCY
• In a medical emergency, procedures are provided in the flight attendant
and pilot operating manuals
• Most companies maintain a system where there is the capability to
establish direct communication with a physician on the ground and the
airplane in flight
• The best course of action may include jettisoning fuel

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 RECAP

➢ Fuel Jettisoning is an important safety function for some airplanes

➢ The majority of airliners do not have the ability to jettison fuel
➢ In 2019 at SEA, only about 4% of the departures had fuel jettisoning
capability
➢ Jettisoning is always used to meet an emergency or non-normal
situation, and a normal flight is never predicated on its use
➢ Most pilots will go through their entire career without ever jettisoning

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